Samuel Palmer Laws (1884-1976)
Royal Field Artillery, received the Military Medal
Samuel Palmer Laws was born in Monkwearmouth on 15 May 1884 to George and Harriet Laws. By the time of the 1911 census, he is living in Lamesley with his wife Jane and three children, William, Samuel, and Ethel. Another child is listed on the 1939 register, Gladys, by which time the family is living in Chester-le-Street. Laws’ pre-war employment is given as a domestic gardener, but in the 1939 register, he is a ‘keeker’ at a colliery, someone who inspects hewers and other work.
The medal index card does not have a 15 Star on it which implies that Samuel did not join the army until 1916 or later. Laws served with the 160th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, with B Battery. There are several references to him having received the Military Medal, but no date can be found for when the action took place.
A newspaper article in the Chester-le-Street Chronicle of 22 November 1918 gives the story of a Bombardier Laws being presented with a gold watch in honour of his winning Military Medal. It is likely that this is Samuel Palmer Laws, but no initials are given in the article. The presentation was not without incident as there was an uproar from the audience and allegations that the man presenting the watch to Laws was a conscientious objector.
Samuel Palmer Laws died in Chester-le-Street in 1976.
Civil Parish: Lamesley
Birth date: 25-May-1884
Death date: 1976
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Monkwearmouth
Ravensworth Arms Cottage, Lamesley (1911 Census)
28 King Street, Chester-le-Street (1939 Register)
Employment: Domestic gardener (1911 Census)
Keeker Colliery Surface Official (1939 Register)
Family: Parents: George and Harriet
Wife: Jane
Children: Samuel, William, Ethel, Gladys
Military service:
L/7649 Bombardier [Corporal]
B Battery 160th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Military Medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by Durham at War
